Ring Introduces Hand Crank-Powered Smart Lock with Year-Long Battery Life
Ring has developed a new smart lock that features a hand crank mechanism capable of generating enough power for 30 seconds of operation by turning the front latch several times. The lock integrates with Amazon's ecosystem through fingerprint recognition and Alexa compatibility while claiming a one-year battery life under normal use. The device is expected to launch in early 2027 at a $249 price point with multiple finish options.
Ring's design addresses a key consumer hesitation about smart home security: the risk of being locked out during power failures. The hand crank mechanism relies on a supercapacitor and small motor that, when activated through three or four turns of the front wheel, generates sufficient voltage to power the lock's core functions—including its fingerprint sensor, keypad entry, and voice assistant integration—for approximately 30 seconds. This backup capability is intended as an emergency measure rather than a primary power source, since the lock's standard battery is engineered to operate for a full year under typical household use.
Beyond residential applications, the company envisions broader utility for this technology in seasonally-used properties or remote locations where regular power management becomes impractical. The lock maintains compatibility with Amazon's broader ecosystem and will launch with three aesthetic finishes to suit various door styles and home designs.
This innovation may influence consumer adoption of smart locks by reducing a significant adoption barrier—the fear of being locked out due to battery depletion. If successful, the hand crank backup could shift market expectations for how other smart lock manufacturers address power reliability. The technology's potential scalability to cabins, vacation homes, and commercial buildings could expand the addressable market for connected security devices, though widespread impact would depend on pricing competitiveness and consumer awareness of the backup feature.